Knockdown crib.



0. G. ESTERBROOK. Y v

KNOCKDOWN CRIB.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26. 1912.

1,142,948. Patented June 15, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTC LITHO., WASHINGmN, D. C.

0. G. ESTERBROOKI KNOCKDOWN CRIB.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1912.

Patented June 15, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- R m H W ATTORNEY THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

0. G. ESTERBROOK.

KNOCKDOWN CRIB.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1912.

Patented June 15, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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OTTO GRANT ESTERBROOK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KNOCKDOWN CRIB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1 5, 1915.

Application filed September 26, 1912. Serial No. 722,483.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, OTTO GRANT Es'rnn- BROOK, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certaln new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Cribs, of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description as wlll enable any one skilled in the art to which it ap pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to a crib for a baby, and the particular ob ects of the inventlon are to provide a crib that may be readily put together to form a rigid and substantial structure, and may be easily taken apart and made into a small compact package for transportation or for storing the same when not in use, and to provide a sanitary and comfortable crib that is thoroughly ventilated, and one that is of a simple and durable construction.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the various novel and peculiar arrangements and combinations of the several different parts of the device, all as fully hereinafter set forth, and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

I have illustrated a type of my invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1, in the central part thereof, shows a top view of the flexible bottom with the two attached side pieces or sections folded over upon the bottom, and with a pair of the detached legs placed on each of the folded side pieces, while at each end of the figure is shown an inside view of the respective end pieces, detached. Fig. 2 1s a side view of the crib set up in position for use. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the crib shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a similar view to that shown in the central part of Fig. 1, but with the two end pieces placed flatly upon one of the side pieces, end to end, and shows the manner of putting the parts together to form a package of the same. Fig. 5 is a side view of the package when completely put together, and which is accomplished by folding the side piece shown in Fig. 4:, over upon the two end pieces shown in the same view. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the v crib after it has been knocked down and formed into a package like Fig. 5, and inserted in a bag, for transportation or storage. Figs. 7 to 12 are enlarged views which show details of the crib, when put together and set up; Fig. 7 shows a top view of one corner of the crib; Fig. 8 shows a side View of the upper part of one end of the crib with part of the same in section, the plane of which is indicated by line 88 in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 7

shows a verticalsectional View, the plane of which section is taken through the lower vto the inside; and Fig. 12 shows a top plan view of the parts shown'in Fig. 11.

In the drawings similar numbers of refer ence refer to like parts throughout.

The crib comprises a bottom of flexible.

material, two similar side pieces or sections, two end pleces or sections, and four detachable legs. Thetwo side sections are alike in size and construction, and a description of one will serve for both, the same numbers of reference being used upon similar parts of the side sections but with prime marks in connection with one set of the numerals.

The side section comprises an upper bar 1, and a lower bar 2, with spacing members or rungs 3 and 4, near the respective ends of the bars. As shown in Fig. 8 the member 3, is loosely joined to the upper bar 1, by having its end inserted in a socket 5, in the under side of said bar. This same joint is made between the respective bars and ends of these spacing pieces, and these members are preferably made round in order to avoid the presence of sharp corners, which are objectionable in adevice of this class, and particularly around the sides of the device, as the infant is apt to come in contact with these parts.

Upon the under side of the upper bar 1, are a series of equally spaced loops or eyes 6, and upon the upper side of the lower bar 2, are arranged a similarset of eyes 7, there being fifteen of the eyes on the upper bar' and sixteen shown on the lower bar, and the eyes are arranged out of vertical line with each other. A flexible cable or cord 8, is knotted at 9, at one end and is passed through the first eye on the lower bar, and

then upwardly through the first eye on the upper bar; thence downwardly through the second eye on the lower bar, and so on.

through the series, the cord being knotted at 10, after being passed through the last eye on the lower bar. The cord is drawn taut and it serves to secure the two bars together in conjunction with the spacing members interposed between them, and at the same time it trusses or stays the four sides of the structure. The eyes 6 and 7, are shown as ordinary screweyes screwed into the respective bars 1 and 2, though of course any well known and suitable construction may be used for lacing the cord between the bars.

The bottom 11, of the crib is made of a suitable flexible material such as canvas, and its side edges are constructed with pockets or folds 12, 12 respectively, the same being formed by doubling the material over upon itself and stitching it as indicated at 13 in Fig. 10. These pockets or folds at the edge of the bottom piece 11, are designed to receive the lower bars 2, 2. of the side sections, the bars being slid endwise into these pockets with the ends projecting an equal distance out of the ends of the pockets, as indicated in the drawings. After the bars are thus inserted, the eyes 7, are secured to the bars by being screwed through the canvas and into the material of the bar.

The ends of the bottom 11, are formed with an extension or flap 14,1 1 respectively, which extend a short distance beyond the ends of the side pockets 12, 12, and these extensions are likewise provided with pockets 15, 15 which are formed by folding over the edge of the material and stitching it at 16, as indicated in Fig. 9. These end pockets 15, 15, are for the purpose of securing the respective ends of the bottom to the end sections of the crib, as hereinafter explained.

The two end sections of the crib are alike in size and construction, so that a description of one will serve for both, and the same reference numerals are used on each, but one set is provided with prime marks.

The end section of the crib has an upper bar .17, and a lower bar 18, between which are arranged spacing pieces or rungs 19 and 20, near the respective ends thereof. The under side of the upper bar 17, is provided with eyes 21, shown as seven in num ber, and the upper side of the lower bar 18, is provided with similar eyes 22, which are shown as eight in number. A flexible cable or cord 23, is knotted at 24, at one end and passed through the first eye 22, on the lower bar, then through the first eye 21, on the upper bar, and then through the second eye 22 of the lower bar, and so on through the series to form a diagonal lacing of the cord, which is drawn taut and knotted at 25, after it is passed through the lasteye 22, on the lower bar 18. This is substantially the same construction as the side sections, but the flexible bottom is secured to the side sections in a different manner from that described in reference to the side sections, and in the following manner: Upon the inner side of the lower bar 18, is detachably mounted a clamping strip 26, which is first passed through the pocket or fold 15 on the extension at the end of the bottom 11, as shown more particularly in Fig. 9. This strip 26, is detachably secured to the bar 18, by a set of suitably spaced bolts 27, the heads of which lie to the inside of the strip 15, while the stem thereof passes through a perforation 28, in the strip, and perforation 29, in the bar 18, and is provided upon its outer end with a thumb-nut 30, which has a round milled head, so as to be turned quickly. The stem of the bolt 27, also passes through the canvas of the pocket 15, and these bolts serve to securely clamp the end of the flexible bottom to the lower bar of the end piece. The construction of the flexible bottom is such that its side and end walls are substantially vertical as indicatec at 31 and 32, respectively in Fig. 2, and I prefer this construction to that in which the bottom slopes at these points.

The under side of theupper bar 1, of the side section, near its ends, is provided with notches or jogs 33 and 341,. and the under side of the lower bar 2, of the side section is likewise provided with notches 35 and 36, the respective bars of the other side section being notched in a similar manner at 33 and 3% and 35 and 36. The upper side of the upper bar 17 of the end section of the crib is provided near its respective ends with notches 37 and 38, while the upper side of the lower bar 18 of said section is provvided with notches 39 and 40 near its re .spective ends. The other end section is similarly provided with notches 37 33 and 39, 40.

The two side sections and the two end sections are joined to each other by placing them in vertical positions and bringing them together as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so that their ends overlap each other and the notches interlock with each other as follows: the notches 39 and 4-0 on the end sections interlocking with the notches 35 and 35' on the side sections respectively; the notches 37 and 38 interlocking with the notches 33 and 33 on the side sections respectively; the notches 39 and 4&0 interlocking with the notches 36 and 36 of the side sections re spectively and the notches 37 and 38 interlocking with the notches 3d and 34: of the side sections respectively. Each of these interlocking notched joints are provided with a clamping bolt 41 as shown more particularly in Figs. 7, 8 and 11, the head of the bolt being countersunk in a recess in the upper side of the bar of the section, and the stem of the bolt extending through a perforation in the crossing members 1 and 17 and being provided uponits projecting end with a thumb-nut 43, so that the joints When put snugly together may be tightly clamped by the nut and bolt, and the structure thereby made rigid. The heads of the bolts 41, are made square or angular, so that when they are countersunk in the recesses 42, the bolts do not turnon themselves when the nut is being turned on the bolt.

The crib is provided with four legs, 44, 45, 46, and 47. These legs are alike, the upper part of each being straight with the lower part tapering toward the foot. The

, leg 44, is provided with a horizontal perfora tion. 48, near its upper end, and a similar perforation 49, a slight distance below the same, and these perforations are rectangular in shape and adapted to receive with a snug fit the squared ends 50 and 51, of the upper and lower bars 17 and 18 respectively of the end section. The leg 45, is likewise provided with two horizontal perforations 52 and 53, for receiving in a like manner the squared ends 54 and 55, of the upper and lower bars 17 and 18 respectively of the end section. The leg 46, is likewise provided with two horizontal perforations 56 and 57 for receiving the squared projecting ends 58, and 59 of the upper and lower bars 17 and 18 respectively of the end section. The leg 47 is likewise provided with horizontal perforations 60 and 61, for receiving the squared ends 62 and 63 of the upper and lower bars 17 and'18 respectively of the end section. After the legs are placed in the respective positions described, a bolt 64, is inserted through each of the legs and the squared ends of the respective upper and lower bars of the two end sections, as shown more particularly in Fig. 7. This bolt 64, has an angular head 65, which is countersunk in the side of the leg and passing through perforations in both the leg and the squared head of the bar has its projecting end provided with a clamping nut 66, the nut being round with a milled head to facilitate operating it with the fingers. When the four legs are each clamped in position by means of two of these bolts, the structure is materially strengthened and made very stable and it is so completely braced on itself as to prevent the structure from being racked and thereby becoming loose in its various joints. The number of bolts for clamping the various joints together may be materially reduced by placing each of the legs to the inside of the upper and lower bars respectively of the side sections, as indicated in Figs. 11 and 12. In this modification, the leg 44 is placed over the squared ends of the upper and lower bars 17 and 18 of the end section, before the upper and lower bars 1*, 2 of the side members are applied, and the legs are then pushed against the spacing pieces 19 and then the upper and lower bars 1 and 2 are applied and are fastened by means of the bolts 41 hereinbefore described. By virtue of this construction, the legs are securely held in place without the use of any bolt engaging the leg itself, as in the other construction. In both constructions the legs are each of onepiece and theylend substantial support to the upper and lower bars of each of the end sections, and indirectly the same support is given to the upper and lower bars of the respective side sections, and this is an important feature in this particular form of construction wherein the parts are interlocked in the manner described.

When thecrib is to be taken apart and packed the legs are each first detached by removing the nut 66, by taking out the bolts 64, and these bolts with the nutsare then I placedfor safekeeping on the detached legs asshown in Figs. 1 and 4. The bolts 41, are then removed and the end sections are each disengaged fromvthe side sections and removed as shown in Fig. 1. These bolts are then mounted temporarily for safekeeping on the ends of theupper bars 1 and 1, of the side sections as indicated in Fig. 1. The side sections which are permanently united to the flexible bottom are then folded over toward each other upon the bottom as shown in Fig. 1. Two of the legs are then placed upon one of the folded sides across the laced cord with the ends extending under some of the strands of the cord as indicated at 73, 74 and 75, 76 in Fig. 1. The other pair of legs are placed in a similar manner inparallel position against the other side sec tion across the laced cord thereof and with the ends of the legs extending under some of the strands of the cord as indicated at the points 77, 78, and 79, 80. i 5

The four legs Which are here shown as substantially of the same thickness in one direction of measurement as the horizontal thickness of the upper and lower bars of the side sections or walls of the crib, are thus placed in secure positions and in places where they do not take up any extra thickness in the package as they lie in the same plane which contains the upper and lower bars of the respective side sections. The end sections are then placed end to end and laid upon the upper side of either one of the folded side sections, as shown in Fig. 4. Then the other side section is folded over upon the two end sections into the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This makes a flat, oblong package which can be inserted in a bag 70, which has its open end provided with a flap 71,.for closing the bag, and has mounted upon one of its narrow sides at the center a handle 72, for carrying the bag. This makes a very compact package which may be readily carried in the hand in transporting it.

While I have shown the legs of the crib as being joined to the upper and lowerbars of the respective end sections, it will be observed that the legs may, if preferred, be transposed to the upper and lower bars of the respective side sections, though I prefer the former construction. It will be understood, however, that the invention contemplates either one of these arrangements in which the legs are joined to the upper and lower bars of either the end or the side walls or sections of the crib.

It will be noted that the sides and ends of the flexible bottom 11, hang down vertically beneath the rigid frame which supports it and so as to be clear of the frame. his provides a soft surface'around the four sides, and it also provides a deep recess for the baby to lie in. Ifpreferred a pillow or mattress may be placed in the recess of the depending bottom. As the main part of each of the walls of the crib is composed of strands of soft cord, this hasthe advantage of not injuring the baby when it comes in contact therewith and also the important advantage of providing full ventilation through the walls. Furthermore, cords of different colors and styles may be used and a desirable decorative effect thereby obtained.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A babys crib provided with detachable end and side sections, a bottom of flexible material having its side edges attached to the lower edges of said side sections and the latter being adapted to fold over upon said bottom toward each other and then folded over uponv eachother, the said end sections being adapted to lie against said folded side sections when said parts are packed together, substantially as described.

2. A babys crib provided with detachable end and side sections, a bottom of flexible material having its side edges attached to the lower edges of said side sections and the latter being adapted to fold over upon said bottom toward each other and then folded over upon each other, the said end sections being adapted to lie against said folded side sections when said parts are packed together, and a set of detachable legs adapted to lie against said folded side sections when packed together, substantially as described.

3. A babys crib provided with detachable end and side sections, a bottom of flexible material having its side edges attached to the lower edges of said side sections and the latter being adapted to fold over upon said bottom toward each other and then folded over upon each other, the said end sections being adapted to lie against said folded side sections when said parts are packed together, the said side sections having the centers thereof provided with laced flexible cable or cord, and a set of detachable legs adapted to be inserted in said laced cord of the side sections, substantially as described. y

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

OTTO GRANT ESTERBBOOK.

Witnesses WILLIS FOWLER, HARRY Q. PICKETT,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0'. 

